Design and Fabrication of Block Stiffened Frame

Abstract

This research introduces a block-stiffened frame for accurate load measurements by reinforcing SS304 rigid blocks along SS304 thick strips. The frame achieves variable stiffness without recalibration, making it more adaptable. Rectangular rosettes are mounted along the longitudinal direction of the frame to measure transverse or tangential loads. Stress analysis is carried out using both finite element analysis (FEA) and experimental methods with both essential and non-essential boundary conditions. Specific locations on the outer surfaces of the block-stiffened frame are examined to compare stress results from finite element analysis and experiments, which confirms a strong agreement between the two methods. The results demonstrate that the frame remains stable under repeated loadings, making it suitable for multiple applications, especially in aerospace structures. Unlike conventional stiffened beams, this novel design easily adjusts stiffness, making load calibration flexible, efficient and adaptable. © 2025 The Aeronautical and Astronautical Society of the Republic of China. All rights reserved.